How to Record a Professional Voice Over
Whether your project is 30 seconds or an hour long, it’s important to get a clean, concise sound for podcasts, audiobooks, post-production needs, and commercial voice-overs. Here are six ways to achieve a professional-grade voice over.
Choose the right space
One of the most difficult parts about recording voice overs is finding a quiet place to record. Ideally, a professional studio will provide the best results for audio recording. The quieter the room, the better — if you choose to record from home, you could end up spending excess $$$ on acoustic treatment. It is way harder to try and get rid of background noise than to add subtle background noise to cover up awkward, dead-silence.
Mic it up
Test out a few mics and their quality before you begin recording. Some of the best mics to use when recording voice overs are the Blue Yeti, Shure SM7b, and Rode NT1-A. Once you’ve got your mic picked out and ready to go, place it about 8-12” away from your face. This will help you achieve a clear sound without pops and super loud feedback. Once again, recording at a studio will save you time and energy if you’re unfamiliar with the actual recording process.
Add a little Pop… Filter!
Worried about those loud pops I just mentioned? Using the right mic may be the first step, but adding filters is the second step to ensure that clear, professional sound. A pop filter is a shield that sits in between the speaker and the microphone. Pop filters are generally inexpensive ($10-$25) and make a huge difference. If you’re in the market for a slightly more expensive filter, check out reflection filters!
Use a Music Stand
Even if you have a relatively quiet room, paper rustling can create unwanted noise. Using a music stand to hold your script while recording your voice over will help to eliminate the noises of paper crunching and rustling in the background. Using a stand also helps to keep the speaker a good distance from the mic and requires the talent to stand while speaking, which will help with voice delivery.
Practice speaking… seriously
Review the script you are about to read. When speaking, pace yourself and articulate the words by talking slowly and clearly. Are you slouching right now? Watch your posture! Sitting up straight or standing helps to maintain good breath support, which will help you sound clear (use that music stand!). Stay hydrated and keep a drink close by. If your voice over is a podcast or audiobook, you may be speaking for a long time. Take sips of water when necessary to avoid dry mouth and the sounds it will create, like smacks, clicks and pops while talking.
Record in a Professional Studio
Like I said, for the best possible voice over results, you should record professionally in a studio. Professional studios, like us here at MNYK Studios, have soundproof rooms, use professional mics and can provide you with help along the way. Are you ready to get started? Let us know how we can help!
